Distributed positive train control system

Abstract

A system for controlling train movement uses a distributed architecture. Wayside controllers receive signals from individual trains, including position information derived from a navigation system. The wayside controllers interface with a central train control network, and coordinate local train movement including the issuance of incremental authorities.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for controlling movement of a train in a track network, the system comprising: a central train control network;   a plurality of wayside controllers, each said wayside controller adapted to interface with the central train control network, and adapted to issue incremental movement authority to the train, wherein each said wayside controller issues incremental movement authority for only a designated section of said track network;   a data network switch coordinating a transition of the incremental movement authority between adjacent said wayside controllers when the incremental movement authority spans parts of more than one said designated section of said track network; and   a train data radio adapted to transmit train position information from the train to at least one of the wayside controllers.   
     
     
       2. A system for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 1, further comprising circuitry for deriving the train position information from a navigation system. 
     
     
       3. A system for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 1, wherein the central train control network is adapted to generate movement authority for the train; and one of the wayside controllers is adapted to partition the movement authority into the incremental movement authority. 
     
     
       4. A system for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 1, wherein the central train control network is adapted to generate movement authority for the train, a part of said movement authority being effective only upon satisfaction of a condition; the system further comprising circuitry in each of the wayside controllers to prevent execution of said part of the movement authority until satisfaction of said condition. 
     
     
       5. A system for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 1, the designated section of the track network for which each of the wayside controllers issue incremental movement authority being divided into blocks; the system further comprising a data base in each said wayside controller, the data base in each said wayside controller comprising definitions of the blocks corresponding with the designated section of the track network for which said wayside controller issues incremental movement authority, the definitions comprising end coordinates of the blocks, lengths of the blocks, and speed limits within the blocks. 
     
     
       6. A system for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 5, wherein the incremental movement authority comprises permission to move to an end of a specific block at a speed not exceeding a specific limit. 
     
     
       7. A system for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 5, further comprising circuitry in each of the wayside controllers adapted to generate a block release to report to the central train control network as the train completes transit of each of the blocks. 
     
     
       8. A system for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 1, further comprising circuitry in each one of the wayside controllers adapted to confirm the absence of conflicting switch settings and the absence of conflicting train position information from other trains, prior to said one of the wayside controllers issuing the incremental movement authority. 
     
     
       9. A system for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 1, each wayside controller being adapted to receive signal aspect information for the respective designated section of the track network for which each said wayside controller issues the incremental movement authority, each said wayside controller further comprising: logic circuitry adapted to select a signal aspect, from the among signal aspect information, which said signal aspect corresponds with the train position information; and   a communications station adapted to receive the train position information from the train, and of transmitting said signal aspect to the train.   
     
     
       10. A system for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a display in the train, the display indicating at least one of: a current speed limit, a next speed limit, a current distance until a next speed limit change, a current distance left to travel within the current incremental movement authority, and a pending brake warning. 
     
     
       11. A system for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a display in the train, the display indicating a current signal aspect. 
     
     
       12. A system for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 1, wherein said plurality of wayside controllers confirm that there are no conflicting switch settings in the track network prior to executing the incremental movement authority. 
     
     
       13. A system for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 1, wherein said data network switch automatically coordinates handing off a train to the adjacent wayside controller when the incremental movement authority spans parts of more than one said designated section of said track network. 
     
     
       14. A system for controlling movement of a train in a track network, the system comprising: means for transmitting train position information from the train to at least one of a plurality of wayside controllers;   means for interfacing between the wayside controllers and a central train control network;   means for issuing incremental movement authority from one of the wayside controllers to the train, wherein each of the wayside controllers issues incremental movement authority for only a designated section of the track network; and   means for coordinating a transition of the incremental movement authority from one of said wayside controllers to another of said wayside controllers when the incremental movement authority spans parts of more than one said designated section of said track network.   
     
     
       15. A system for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 14, further comprising means for deriving the train position information from a navigation system. 
     
     
       16. A system for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 14, further comprising: means for generating movement authority for the train by the central train control network; and   means for partitioning the movement authority into the incremental movement authority by at least one of the wayside controllers.   
     
     
       17. A system for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 14, further comprising means for the one of the wayside controllers to confirm the absence of conflicting switch settings and the absence of conflicting train position information from other trains, prior to issuing the incremental movement authority. 
     
     
       18. A method for controlling movement of a train in a track network, the method comprising: transmitting train position information from the train to at least one of a plurality of wayside controllers;   interfacing between the wayside controllers and a central train control network;   issuing incremental movement authority from one of the wayside controllers to the train, wherein each of the wayside controllers issues incremental movement authority for only a designated section of the track network; and   coordinating a transition of the incremental movement authority between adjacent wayside controllers when the incremental movement authority spans parts of more than one said designated section of said track network.   
     
     
       19. A method for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 18, wherein the train position information is derived from a navigation system. 
     
     
       20. A method for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 19, further comprising the step of adjusting the train position information to correct for known deviations of the navigation system. 
     
     
       21. A method for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 18, further comprising the steps of: generating movement authority for the train by the central train control network; and   partitioning the movement authority into the incremental movement authority by at least one of the wayside controllers.   
     
     
       22. A method for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 18, further comprising the step of generating movement authority for the train by the central train control network; wherein at least a part of the movement authority is effective only upon satisfaction of a condition; and wherein the issuing step is not executed by the one of the wayside controllers for said part of the movement authority until satisfaction of said condition. 
     
     
       23. A method for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 18 further comprising the steps by the central train control network of: generating movement authority for the train; and   coordinating transition of the issuing step from one to another of the wayside controllers, when the movement authority overlaps the designated sections of more than a single wayside controller.   
     
     
       24. A method for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 18, further comprising the step of at least one of the wayside controllers containing a data base of definitions of blocks, the designated section of the track network for which said at least one wayside controller issues incremental movement authority being divided into said blocks, the definitions comprising end coordinates of the blocks, lengths of the blocks, and speed limits within the blocks. 
     
     
       25. A method for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 24, therein the incremental movement authority comprises permission to move to an end of a specific block at a speed not exceeding a specific limit. 
     
     
       26. A method for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 24, Further comprising the step of the at least one wayside controller sending a block release to the central train control network to report as the train completes transit of each of the blocks. 
     
     
       27. A method for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 18, further comprising the step of braking automatically if the train exceeds the incremental movement authority. 
     
     
       28. A method for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 18, further comprising the step of the one of the wayside controllers confirming the absence of conflicting switch settings and the absence of conflicting train position information from other trains, prior to executing the issuing step. 
     
     
       29. A method for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 18, further comprising the steps of the one of the wayside controllers: receiving signal aspect information for the designated section of the track network;   selecting a signal aspect, from the signal aspect information, which corresponds with the train position information; and   transmitting said signal aspect to the train.   
     
     
       30. A method for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 18, further comprising the steps of: receiving a train consist summary; and   modifying train braking requirements based on the train consist summary.   
     
     
       31. A method for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 18, further comprising the step of displaying in the train at least one of: a current speed limit, a next speed limit, a current distance until a next speed limit change, a current distance left to travel within the current incremental movement authority, and a pending brake warning. 
     
     
       32. A method for controlling movement of a train as set forth in claim 18 further comprising the step of displaying in the train a current signal aspect.